Japan U23 vs Jordan U23: The strength of the title contenders in the 2026 Asian Cup Quarterfinals.

The first quarter-final match of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship between Japan U23 and Jordan U23 will officially kick off at 6:30 PM on January 16, 2026. This is a clash between a top contender for the championship and a team that dramatically narrowly qualified.

The overwhelming strength of the Japanese U23 team.

The Japanese U23 team is displaying a devastating form at this year's tournament. After 3 group stage matches, the team from the Land of the Rising Sun has secured a perfect 9 points, scored 10 goals, and, remarkably, has not conceded a single goal. These figures confirm the perfect balance between a sharp attack and a disciplined defense.

Japan's U23 journey began with a resounding 5-0 victory over Syria's U23 team, followed by a convincing 3-0 win against the UAE's U23 team. In the final match, even with a reserve squad, they easily overcame Qatar's U23 team with a 2-0 scoreline.

Jordan U23 and their efforts to create a surprise.

In contrast to their opponents' relaxed approach, the Jordan U23 team struggled to secure second place in their group and advance to the knockout round. This marks the first time since 2020 that Jordan's youth football team has reached a continental quarter-final. After their defeat against Vietnam in the group stage, the team has undergone a significant transformation and improvement in their playing style.

Although theoretically the Japanese U23 team is considered significantly stronger, caution is still necessary for the East Asian team. A small mistake could cost the title contenders dearly against a high-spirited Jordanian side.

Predicted lineup and live broadcast channel

The match between Japan U23 and Jordan U23 will be broadcast live by Vietnam Television at 6:30 PM today on VTV5, VTV Can Tho, and the VTVgo app.

Here are the expected lineups for both teams in tonight's match: